Rum Renaissance 2009: A Look Back

“Rum is not just a drink – it’s a lifestyle.”
– Paul McFadyen, IP Bartenders

Rum Renaissance is the first major conference in the US dedicated to rum. The festival is the brain child of Robert A. Burr and his family (wife Robin and son Robert V. Burr), and was organized this year in Miami, Florida by Quantum Leap Network – who publish the Burrs’ Gifted Rums Guide – along with Contemporary Cocktails from New York, and the Rum Experience crew that also organize London’s annual UK RumFest every October.

For four days I spent my time completely immersed in rum in South Florida. Starting on Thursday morning, when I joined several of my peers to judge over 60 rums for the Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition (you may remember that I was a judge last year as well) for two days. In addition to the competition, we spent our evenings at tastings and parties hosted by companies like Ron Atlantico, Ron Zacapa, St. Lucia Distilleries, Bacardi, and Appleton Estate. And finally, on Saturday, the Grand Tasting started with over 20 rum producers and 1200 attendees all gathered together to taste and talk about rum.

In addition to my video above, be sure to check out the video on the rum competition and Rum Renaissance (including interviews with luminaries such as yours truly) put together by Rums of Puerto Rico, even if it does lack the awesome music track.